Decline in ovarian reserves observed in younger women

Dr Vaishali Chaudhary, fertility consultant, says, “Low ovarian reserve negatively affects fertility in women primarily through suboptimal number of eggs. Lesser number of eggs reduces women’s fertility and makes it more difficult for them to conceive. A percentage of these women are found to be premature ovarian failure cases, and the only option for them is to opt for donor eggs.”

Premature ovarian failure is a common condition that stops the normal functioning of ovaries before the age of 40. It needs to be evaluated properly since often, there are associated medical conditions that need to be treated.

Doctors assert that this phenomenon is on the rise, with younger women in their 20s and early 30s being diagnosed with low ovarian reserve (less number of viable eggs in a woman’s ovaries). According to Nova, 35-40 per cent of women facing infertility were diagnosed with low ovarian reserve in Pune, of which a majority were under 35 years of age.

“The cause of premature ovarian failure is often unknown. However, X chromosome abnormalities, autosomal causes, galactosemia, autoimmune disorders and cancer treatment are known to be some of the causes,” Chaudhary said.